Jordan Valley rodeo board members have long disputed the term "horse tripping," instead calling their signature event "horse roping." In any case, footage (see below) apparently filmed at last year's event, showing a horse go end over end, reignited a controversy and led to the statewide ban.

The practice involves lassoing a horse around the neck, then around the forelegs. This causes the horse -- often at rapid speeds -- to crash to the ground.

Semantics aside, it's an issue as much cultural as technical: Horse tripping is done at a handful of remote Oregon rodeos, but the bill was driven in part by Portland-area legislators -- Sen. Mark Hass, D-Beaverton, was a co-sponsor of the bill.

Jordan Valley Mayor Jake Roe said he made the eight-hour trek to Salem last year to testify against the bill and explain horse roping. But, he said, there was a disconnect.

"We actually had to get out a map to show those senators where we were from," Roe said. "If they've never come to see the rodeo, I'm not sure they know what they're talking about."

The rodeo is the pride of Jordan Valley.

Every third weekend in May, thousands descend upon the eastern Oregon town to see a weekend of roping, riding and racing. The "big loop" competition distinguishes the event from your run-of-the-mill rodeo. And in a town made up mostly of ranchers, it's also steeped in tradition.

Animal-rights activists call the tradition cruel and outdated. Illinois-based Showing Animals Respect and Kindness sent a group to attend the rodeo last year. When a member was caught filming and apparently refused to stop, he was arrested. But previous footage from SHARK and the Humane Society proved the catalyst for the bill that affirmed the right to rodeo but banned horse tripping for the purposes of entertainment. If caught horse tripping, a person could face up to six months in jail, a $2,500 fine or both.

SHARK President Steve Hindi said the bill was the right move: "Even if you want to believe the lore of the cowboys, these guys are not heroes."

Roe and other Jordan Valley members opposed the "horse tripping" characterization when the bill was up for discussion. In his testimony, rodeo President Vernon Kershner called horse tripping a "buzz word" and an attack on the town's economy.

"The little towns in eastern Oregon don't have a lot going for them," Kershner said. "One of their biggest incomes is from the rodeo."

Despite the ban, horse roping remains on the agenda for the weekend. The Jordan Valley website, though, notes that "in accordance with Oregon Senate Bill 835, any 'intentional tripping' will result in immediate disqualification. "

It's not clear how that would be enforced. While the Oregon State Police will assist Malheur County Sheriff's Department with road patrols, the state police will likely defer to the county police at the actual event. The sheriff's department has close ties to the event, with officers fundraising at the event itself.

Hindi would not confirm whether SHARK will attend this weekend's event. An online petition with more than 9,000 signatures is calling on the rodeo to cancel the horse roping event.

Roe said that's not going to happen.

"If people want to understand what's going on, they should come see for themselves," Roe said. "Get in the car and drive."

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